WBO Exec Off to Korea Following Choi's Death
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Jan 2008
WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo is leaving for South Korea to personally attend Yo-Sam Choi's burial and extend his organization's condolences for the boxer's fate.
Choi, who had been in a coma since successfully defending his WBO Intercontinental flyweight crown on December 25th in Seoul, South Korea, passed away at around midnight Wednesday after being removed from a life-support device.
"We deeply mourn his passing, and we are extending our deepest condolences to the family. This is something we don't want to happen to any boxer, but things like this happen in the sport," said Panoncillo in an interview.
The fighter was declared brain dead on Tuesday by the Seoul Asan Hospital after two examinations by a nine-member panel.
Choi (32-5, 19 KOs) was the former WBC light flyweight title holder who won the crown from Saman Sorjaturong in October 1999 and defended it four times before losing it to Jorge Arce.
Panoncillo added that more safety measures should be undertaken by boxing authorities, indicating that the boxers' safety should be the paramount consideration at any given time.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
Tue, 30 Sep 2025Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 30 Sep 2025TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 30 Sep 2025A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
Mon, 29 Sep 2025Rosia captures PBF super fly title
Mon, 29 Sep 2025Tancontians starred 2025 Sports Heroes Night
Mon, 29 Sep 2025“Thrilla” guest list
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 28 Sep 2025